Exercise Science Student Presents Study on Asthma

(DENTON, Texas)–This summer, Yeremyah Phillips ’20 completed a ten-week internship at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in their Summer Multicultural Advancement Research Training (SMART) program. He worked on a research project and presented a poster and abstract titled “Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Lung Function in Those with Asthma: NHANES 2007 to 2012.”

The study found that “Physical conditioning through moderate to high levels of aerobic exercise…will significantly reduce asthma and improve lung function.”

Beneficial Results

Phillips and his mentor, Dr. Harlan Jones Ph.D.

“It’s exciting to have a response that matched my hypothesis,” Phillips said. “These results could actually help people with asthma. That’s been the most inspiring part.”

Phillips is the first author of the abstract, meaning he conducted the majority of the research. He created a literature review of a data set from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, wrote the paper, and created a cell diagram showing where exercise can help reduce asthma in the body.

Phillips has submitted his project to the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conference and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). If his project is accepted, he will have the opportunity to present it in Hawaii and Anaheim, California, respectively.

A Strong Academic Foundation

Phillips at the UNT Health Science Center

Phillips is a senior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Leadership. He works as a physical therapy technician at Hendrick and as a chemistry tutor on campus. Phillips is involved at HSU as the president of the Physical Therapy Club and the Student Government representative for Gamma Beta Phi honor society. He is currently applying to PT school and hopes to attend HSU’s program.

“HSU has lots of resources and opportunities,” Phillips said. “I’ve found a lot of ways to build my resume and prepare for grad school. It’s a small school, but we have lots of mentors and advisors to help you along the way.”

Phillips’ abstract is available here.

About SMART

The SMART program brings undergraduate students to the UNT Health Science Center campus to participate in a 10-week biomedical sciences project. Participants become familiar with the varied disciplines and methodology used in biomedical research.

SMART is a program for multicultural students made possible in part by the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The NIH has designated African Americans, Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and Mainland Puerto Ricans as underrepresented populations in the sciences. However, through additional funding provided by our corporate partners, UNT Health Science Center invites applications from all interested students.